Chapter 14 "Ruby's Injury" (Part 3 Conclusion)

"Is she gonna be alright, Doc?" Festus quietly asked. You could hear the nervousness in his voice.

"I am confident that the harm will heal and she'll make a full recovery," said Doc. "Do you think you can carry her to the bed in the back room? I don't want her rolling off the table." Doc didn't plan on leaving Ruby unattended, but still didn't want to take that risk.

"You know ya can count on me, Doc," said Festus. He easily lifted Ruby off the exam table and carried her to the back bedroom, laying her on the bed. "Doc, I haveta git going now. I'll be back directly to see how Miss Ruby's doing."

"Thanks for your help, Festus," said Doc as he and Festus walked back out to the main office. Festus walked out the door and Doc sat at his desk to catch up on some paperwork. He made sure he kept an ear out for Ruby.

Meanwhile, Matt and Kitty were out at Willow Creek, blissfully unaware of their daughter's plight. They were enjoying the beautiful weather and more importantly, one another. Not counting the time at night they spent alone together in bed, it had been some time since they spent time alone enjoying each other's company. As much as they loved and adored their precious little girl, they needed this time together.

"Mr. Dillon, the last couple of hours with you have been a delight," said Kitty, leaning towards Matt for a kiss.

Matt met Kitty halfway and captured her lips in a sweet kiss. "Mrs. Dillon, I feel the same way. Being with you these past couple hours has been a delight."

Kitty gave Matt one more kiss, and then spoke again. "I've had such a wonderful time with you, but we should be heading back. I don't want Ruby to wear out her welcome at the Roginers' house."

"I really don't think that could happen. Will, Bess and the kids all love her, but I do agree that we should be heading back. Don't get me wrong. I had a wonderful time and absolutely loved our alone time together, but I am starting to miss that little girl of ours," said Matt.

"Oh Cowboy, I could never take that the wrong way. I miss her too," Kitty admitted.

Matt and Kitty packed up the picnic basket. While Matt was carrying the basket to the wagon, Kitty shook out the blanket. Matt returned to help her fold it. Blanket folded, Kitty and Matt walked to the wagon. Kitty placed the blanket in the back, next to the picnic basket. Matt then helped Kitty step up into the wagon. Once they were both settled, Matt steered the horses towards Will and Bess' house.

Bess had been waiting anxiously for Matt and Kitty to arrive. She knew that Matt and Kitty wouldn't blame her for Ruby's broken arm. They were understanding and level-headed people. However, that didn't stop the butterflies in her stomach. Every five minutes she would look out the window to see if they were coming. This time that she did, she could see Matt and Kitty coming in the distance. Bess went outside to wait for them.

Getting closer to the house, Matt and Kitty could see Bess standing outside. Kitty could sense that something was wrong. "Matt, something's wrong."

Kitty's words put Matt on high alert. "What makes you say that?" he asked.

"Why would Bess be outside like she's waiting for us?" Kitty answered with a question. "Plus, she looks anxious."

Looking more closely, Matt could see what Kitty was saying. "Yeah, I think you're right."

Matt and Kitty pulled up to the house. "I'm glad you're here," said Bess.

"Bess, what's wrong?" asked Kitty. She was trying to keep calm.

"It's Ruby," said Bess. "She's been hurt."

Kitty grabbed hold of Matt's arm and started to squeeze. She knew something was wrong, but still wasn't prepared to hear that her daughter was hurt. "What happened? Where is she?" she asked.

"She was outside playing with the girls and she fell and broke her arm. Will brought Doc out and Doc took her back to his office," said Bess. "I am so sorry. I understand if you want to blame me and never want to leave Ruby over here again."

Both Matt and Kitty took a collective sigh of relief. They hated the fact that their daughter was injured, but were grateful it was nothing more than a broken arm. They feared it was something much worse. A broken arm is something they could handle.

"Now Bess, we don't blame you. We know it was just an accident," said Kitty. "We still plan on bringing Ruby over here. She loves coming here."

"Thank you, KItty. I needed to hear that," said Bess, wiping away a tear that was threatening to fall.

"Kitty, we should get to Doc's," said Matt. He wanted to get to his little gemstone.

"Of course," agreed Kitty. "Bess, thank you so much."

Riding back into town, Kitty noticed that Matt was driving faster than normal. She knew he wanted to quickly get to Ruby. She felt the same way. Kitty also noticed how quiet Matt was. She also had a feeling she knew the reason for that. Kitty was certain that Matt blamed himself for Ruby's injury.

"Matt, it's not your fault either that Ruby broke her arm," Kitty softly said.

Matt turned and looked into Kitty's sapphire blue eyes. She knew him so well. "How did you know I was blaming myself?" he asked.

"I know you, Matt. Blaming yourself is something you would do, even if it's over something you can't control," Kitty answered.

"It just tears me apart that my baby girl is hurt. I want to spare her from all pain and injury," said Matt.

"You know that's not possible. We may not like it, but she's going to face pain and injury," said Kitty.

They finally reached Dodge and pulled up to the side of Doc's office. They quickly jumped down from the wagon and climbed the stairs to Doc's office. Doc heard them coming and put the book he was reading aside. When the door opened, Doc saw the faces of two anxious parents. Before he could say anything, Matt spoke.

"Doc, how is she? Where is she?" he frantically asked.

"Calm down," said Doc. "She's fine. She broke her arm, but I was able to set it. I put her to sleep, so she wouldn't feel the pain while I set it. Normally, I would get the parents' permission, but I didn't think you would mind." Matt and Kitty both nodded their agreement. "She's in the back bedroom sleeping. She should be coming around anytime now."

Right after Doc said that, they could hear Ruby start to stir. All three went into the backroom. When they walked, they could see that Ruby was awake. Matt and Kitty went on either side of the bed. Kitty sat down on the bed, and Matt knelt down on the floor. They both gave Ruby a kiss on the forehead.

"Daddy, momma," said Ruby, still groggy from the sedative. "I hurt my arm. Grandpa Doc fixed it."

"We know you did," Matt said softly. "Daddy is so sorry."

Kitty may have convinced Matt on the way to Doc's office that he wasn't to blame, but she had a feeling that after seeing their daughter lying in bed with her arm wrapped in a splint, he was blaming himself again. Doc thought the same.

"Matt," he said. "You can't blame yourself for this. Kids play and get hurt. It's a part of life. As active as Ruby is, this probably won't be her first broken bone."

"I must be pretty readable," said Matt. "Kitty could tell I blamed myself too. It's just so hard not to blame myself." A few seconds later, he spoke again. "What I don't understand is, if Ruby was injured, why nobody came and got us."

"Bess said she knew you two were having a picnic on Willow Creek. She just didn't know exactly where," Doc answered. "I'm sure if the injury was more serious, they would've gone out and looked for you."

Matt and Kitty both silently groaned. They went to have a picnic at their private area, an area they didn't want to share with anyone. At the time they thought it was sufficient enough to tell Bess they were picnicking on Willow Creek. They didn't think it was necessary to give more details. They didn't imagine that Ruby might have gotten hurt.

"I guess we weren't thinking," said Kitty. "We never even thought that Ruby might get hurt. We'll have to remember that next time."

Matt wasn't sure if there was going to be a next time. He wasn't sure if he wanted to leave Ruby alone again. Deep down he knew he was being irrational. That's why he didn't voice his opinion out loud.

"Doc, when can we take her home?" Matt asked, still not taking his eyes off of his daughter.

"You can take her home now," Doc told Matt and Kitty. "I'll be out to your place late tomorrow afternoon to see how the swelling is. I'll bring what I need to make a plaster cast. If the swelling is down, I'll make a cast for her."

Matt stood up and then bent down to gently pick up his daughter, making sure not to touch her broken arm. Doc would have told Matt to be careful, but he knew it was wasted breath if he did. Matt Dillon was not going to do anything to put his child in pain. Once Matt had Ruby securely in his arms, he walked out into the main office. Doc and Kitty followed.

"Before you go," said Doc. "I want to give you some powders for the pain and it will also help her sleep. Right now she's not feeling any pain, but that's because the sedative is still working. If her arm starts to bother her, mix a quarter of a teaspoon of the powder into a glass of water."

"Thank you, Doc," said Kitty. She took the powders and put them into her reticule.

Matt, Kitty, and Ruby left Doc's office. After descending the stairs, Matt and Kitty strolled over to their wagon. Normally Matt would help Kitty up onto the wagon, but with Ruby in his arms he couldn't. Kitty got up onto the wagon seat and waited for Matt to give Ruby to her. Matt did and then walked to the other side and got up onto the wagon seat. With everyone situated, they headed for home.

They had been riding for several minutes, when Kitty broke the silence. "I know we have our own private picnic spot and we don't share the location with anyone because we want to keep it private. But maybe we should have a different spot that we go to when we picnic alone, a spot that we don't mind sharing."

"I agree. We can go to our spot as a family, but find a different one to share," said Matt.

That night everyone was in bed, when Matt and Kitty heard Ruby start to moan. Matt was about to get up, but Kitty stopped him.

"I'll go and check on her. We gave her the prescribed powders, so I don't think it's her arm. Maybe she's having a bad dream," said Kitty.

"Poor little thing. I'd have her sleep in here, but I don't want to risk bumping into her arm," Matt whispered. "I think I'd feel better once it's in a plaster cast."

"You and me both," said Kitty as she walked out of their bedroom.

When she walked into to Ruby's room, she could see that Ruby was asleep, but it was a restless one. Kitty figured that the little girl was probably having a bad dream. She walked over to the bed and was going to gently wake her up, so she could stop the nightmare. However, once she reached Ruby, Kitty could see a sheen of sweat on Ruby's face. Kitty put her hand to Ruby's forehead and instantly knew Ruby was running a fever.

"Matt!" Kitty called out.

Matt heard Kitty calling for him and was out of bed and into Ruby's room in a flash. "What is it?" he asked.

"Feel her forehead," Kitty stated. "I'm pretty sure she's running a fever."

Matt put his hand on Ruby's forehead and agreed with Kitty. "I'm going to get dressed and ride out to get Doc."

"Good. I'm going to put a cool, wet cloth on her forehead," said Kitty.

Matt got ready to go and get Doc and Kitty put a cool, wet cloth on Ruby's forehead. All this was happening and Ruby slept through it all. Kitty was concerned about the fever, but not that Ruby slept through all the commotion. They gave Ruby some powders before they put her to bed and those were obviously working.

Matt arrived into town and barely waited for his horse to stop before he got off. He loosely tied the reins around the hitching post and took the stairs two at a time up to Doc's office. He knocked on the door.

Doc had just fallen into a deep sleep when he heard the knocking. "By thunder," he said to himself. "Why do people need me in the middle of the night?"

"Doc, are you there?" Matt shouted, still knocking on the door.

Hearing Matt shout his name, changed everything. Doc feared that something was wrong with Ruby. He quickly went and answered the door. When he did, he saw a very worried Matt Dillon.

"What's wrong?" Doc asked.

"Ruby's running a fever," Matt responded. "Could you come out and look at her?"

"Of course. Go on back home and I'll be there directly" said Doc.

Matt went back home and Doc was there ten minutes later. By this time Ruby had woken up. Kitty had Ruby propped up in bed with some pillows. Kitty was sitting on the bed next to Ruby. She was relieved when she saw Doc.

"Little Miss," Doc addressed Ruby. "Let's see what's going on here. I'm going to listen to your chest and heart. Can you take some deep breaths for me?" Ruby took some deep breaths. Next he looked at her throat. "Her chest sounds clear and her throat looks fine. I think the fever was triggered by the broken arm. Our bodies sometimes run fevers when they face trauma. Her broken arm is definitely a trauma for her little body. Just make sure to give her plenty of fluids and keep that cool cloth on her forehead."

"Thank you so much, Doc. I don't know why we were so anxious to get you. Ruby's had fevers before and we usually try to get it down before we get you. I guess with her broken arm, we really weren't thinking," said Kitty.

"No need to apologize, Kitty. You and Matt were just doing what any loving parent would do for their child," said Doc. "I'll see myself out. I'll be back later this afternoon and see about putting a plaster cast on her arm."

Just as Doc said, he returned later that afternoon and examined Ruby's arm again. He determined the swelling went down and was able to put Ruby's arm in a plaster cast. Doc had to handle Ruby's arm to put the cast on, but he made sure to do so carefully. Once the cast was on and was dry, Ruby thought it was pretty neat to have that hard thing on her arm. Ruby's fever was also gone.

A few days later the Dillons were sitting on the front porch, when Ruby spoke. "Momma, daddy, we never got our pie and ice cream."

Matt and Kitty both laughed out loud. After all their daughter had been through, she still remembered the promise of pie and ice cream.

"I reckon that you're right," said Matt. "I think we should head into town right now and get some."

That's just what they did.

(The end of "Ruby's Injury")

TBC